North Hampton Public Library Full Calendar of Events

Looking for details on Youth Programs? Visit our youth pages, organized by age group!

Upcoming New and Exclusive Programs!

April 2025

Exhibit Reception: Photography by Rick Dumont
Tuesday, April 1 at 6:00 PM

Check out our upcoming photography exhibition! Featuring images from local North Hampton photographer Rick Dumont. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of photography. Visit us at 239 Atlantic Avenue any time throughout the month of April. Join us for an exhibit reception on Tuesday, April 1 at 6PM and get to know the artist while enjoying light refreshments provided by our Friends of the Library!

About the Artist: Rick Dumont – Photographer
Rick Dumont is a passionate event and portrait photographer based in North Hampton, NH. As the owner of Rick Dumont Images, he specializes in capturing moments that tell compelling stories, whether through live events, corporate photography, or personal portraits. A longtime resident of Atlantic Avenue, Rick is an active member of The Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth and is well known for his dedication to the local community. READ MORE


Genealogy Club: Special Edition
Wednesday, April 9 at 6:00 PM

This month we’re thrilled to welcome local historian and speaker, Robert A. Southworth from the North Hampton Historical Society to join us for a very special edition meeting of our Genealogy Club in celebration of Library Outreach Day on April 9,2025! With his wealth of knowledge of our town’s history and the important families of the region he will be here to answer questions and discuss your current genealogical research!

The Genealogy Club meets every second Wednesday evening of the month at 6 PM. Led by staff member, Kiana, this group researches and discusses topics relating to all things genealogy. New members are always welcome to join!

We’re proud to have a strong community partnership with the North Hampton Historical Society, and frequently partner on programs! Make sure to take a look at their website and social media to learn more about what they have to offer!


Song of the Saco with John Perrault
Tuesday, April 15 at 6:00 PM

The Saco River rises in Crawford Notch, NH and runs—sometimes meanders—136 miles to Saco Bay—where it flows out and around Wood Island Light. (You know, that tiny speck of light Winslow Homer painted from his perch on Prout’s Neck.) Wood Island is just off the tip of East Point at Biddeford Pool, Maine. This presentation celebrates the Saco and all rivers that are the life blood of this land. A land under enormous stress due to development, pollution, and a warming climate tipping too close to the edge.

Author, poet, songwriter and balladeer, former Portsmouth Poet Laureate John Perrault reads, recites and sings poems and songs—from Wordsworth to Whitman, Dickinson to Dylan, and beyond—plus originals (e.g. “Saco River Song,” “Carbon the Garden,” “Walk by the River”) dedicated to the precious rivers and landscapes—material and spiritual—that water our lives.

John Perrault is author of Jefferson’s Dream (Hobblebush Books), Here Comes the Old Man Now (Oyster River Press), Ballad of Louis Wagner (Peter Randall Publisher), and most recently a chapbook, Season of Shagginess, from Finishing Line Press. A Pushcart Nominee, John has published in Christian Science Monitor, Commonweal, Comstock Review, Constellations, Mobius, The Journal of Social Change, Poet Lore and elsewhere. He has also recorded nine albums of original songs and ballads. John is a former Portsmouth, NH poet laureate. www.johnperrault.com

Open to all ages; geared towards adults

This program is free and open to the general public. Registration is not required.


Eternal Reflections: Going Out Green presented by Lee Webster
Wednesday, April 16 at 4:00 PM

Learn about green burial and other natural end of life options

READ MORE

Join us for a transformative series of free library programs designed to explore the complex topic of death in a factual and compassionate environment. Led by industry professionals, these sessions aim to foster open discussions about end-of-life issues, grief, and the value of pre-planning, encouraging participants to reflect on their own experiences and beliefs and to learn about death care options.

Join us to learn more about the principles of sustainable funeral options and what we can each do to plan for a more affordable, meaningful, and planet-friendly exit.

Lee Webster is a nationally recognized public speaker and author of several books and articles on funeral reform, including home funerals and green burial.

Open to all ages; geared towards adults

This program is free and open to the general public. Registration is not required.


Visiting Author Series: Thomas North: The Original Author of Shakespeare’s Plays by Dennis McCarthy
Thursday, April 24, 6:00 PM

Acclaimed researcher Dennis McCarthy presents the true story of Sir Thomas North, the scholarly knight whose thrilling and shocking life was later adapted into plays by Shakespeare.

READ MORE

📚 Join us for our Visiting Authors Series at the North Hampton Public Library! 📚

Come join us every month as we welcome local authors to the library to share their stories with our community!

🖋️ Meet Local Talent: Join our guest authors as they discuss their latest publications and share their creative journey with you.

📖 Dive into Great Stories: Whether you’re into heartfelt memoirs or thrilling mysteries, these authors have got stories that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

🛍️ Snag Your Next Page-Turner: Want to take a piece of the magic home? Grab a copy of the featured author’s book at the event, maybe even get it signed! Support local writers and score some awesome reads.

Open to all ages; geared towards adults and older teens

This program is free and open to the general public. Registration is not required.

May 2025

Eternal Reflections: Green Burial in the Seacoast presented by Sarah Clark
Thursday, May 15 at 6:00 PM

READ MORE

Join us for a transformative series of free library programs designed to explore the complex topic of death in a factual and compassionate environment. Led by industry professionals, these sessions aim to foster open discussions about end-of-life issues, grief, and the value of pre-planning, encouraging participants to reflect on their own experiences and beliefs and to learn about death care options.

Come learn about natural (or green) burial, ask all your questions and hear about our efforts to start a natural burial cemetery in the Seacoast! Learn more and Lotus and Lavender Burial’s newsletter: www.lotusandlavenderburial.org.

Presented by Sarah Clark, Founder and Executive Director of Lotus and Lavender Burial, a nonprofit working to promote natural burial in the New Hampshire Seacoast.

Open to all ages; geared towards adults

This program is free and open to the general public. Registration is not required.


Mighty Monarch Butterflies presented by Emily Wrubel & Judy Fink
Thursday, May 17 at 1:00 PM

Inspiring Conservation, One Flutter at a Time…

Join us at the North Hampton Public Library for an exclusive event, “Mighty Monarch Butterflies.” Delve into the captivating journey of Hillsborough, NH resident, Emily Wrubel, and her companion, Judy Fink, as they share their experience from their remarkable expedition to Mexico where they were able to witness firsthand the majestic monarch butterflies in their serene wintering grounds nestled high in the Transvolcanic Mountain Range.

Uncover the compelling motivations behind their expedition, gain profound insights into the remarkable long-distance voyages of these fascinating creatures, and explore actionable ways to contribute to the conservation of this delicate and endangered species. Immerse yourself in a tale of wonder, discovery, and conservation, as we unravel the mysteries of the monarch butterflies together.

This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Open to all ages!

Registration is required for this program.


Visiting Author Series: Endangered Species: Chronicles of the Life of a New England Fisherman and the F/V Ellen Diane by David Goethel
Thursday, May 29, 6:00 PM

If David Goethel was a cat, he would be in the market for more lives. But David is a small boat fisherman, an endangered species, who works tirelessly for himself and others like him to survive.

READ MORE

📚 Join us for our Visiting Authors Series at the North Hampton Public Library! 📚

Come join us every month as we welcome local authors to the library to share their stories with our community!

🖋️ Meet Local Talent: Join our guest authors as they discuss their latest publications and share their creative journey with you.

📖 Dive into Great Stories: Whether you’re into heartfelt memoirs or thrilling mysteries, these authors have got stories that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

🛍️ Snag Your Next Page-Turner: Want to take a piece of the magic home? Grab a copy of the featured author’s book at the event, maybe even get it signed! Support local writers and score some awesome reads.

Open to all ages; geared towards adults

This program is free and open to the general public. Registration is not required.


Summer Clothing Swap
Saturday, May 31, 10:30 – 1:00 PM

Get ready to refresh your wardrobe without spending a dime. It’s the perfect opportunity to declutter and exchange your gently used summer clothes for something new-to-you!

Bring your unwanted but still wearable summer clothing items, including t-shirts, shorts, dresses, swimwear, and accessories, to the library. Browse through the wide selection of donated items and find trendy outfits and stylish accessories to enhance your summer fashion.

Not only will you be able to revamp your closet, but you’ll also contribute to a sustainable and eco-friendly community by promoting clothing reuse and reducing waste.

Please ensure that all items you bring are clean, in good condition, and suitable for summer wear. Any leftover items will be donated to NH Mutual Aid Relief Fund.

This is an all-inclusive swap: all ages, genders and sizes are welcome!

This program is free and open to the general public. Registration is not required.

Want to volunteer for this event? Email t.simpsontucker.nhpl@gmail.com

June 2025

Eternal Reflections: Writing a Legacy Letter presented by Jay Sherwin
Saturday, June 14, 12:00 PM

Join us for a transformative series of free library programs designed to explore the complex topic of death in a factual and compassionate environment. Led by industry professionals, these sessions aim to foster open discussions about end-of-life issues, grief, and the value of pre-planning, encouraging participants to reflect on their own experiences and beliefs and to learn about death care options.

READ MORE

A legacy letter is a written document that allows people to share their life lessons, express their values and transmit their blessings to future generations. Writing a legacy letter is a rewarding experience that creates an enduring gift for family, friends and other loved ones.

Jay Sherwin created the “Life Reflections Project” to educate people about legacy letters and ethical wills; he now teaches legacy writing and works with clients to help them draft or edit their own legacy documents.

Open to all ages; geared towards adults

This program is free and open to the general public. Registration is not required.


The History of Emancipation & Juneteenth presented by historian & public speaker Christopher Daley
Thursday, June 19, 6:00 PM

Join returning presenter Christopher Daley for his program: The History of Emancipation & Juneteenth. This 90-minute presentation which begins with a short history of the Abolitionist movement from the 1830s through the Civil War. Then the discussion will turn to all the slavery connected causes of the Civil War and the growing hue and cry for the end of slavery. Additionally, the election of Abaraham Lincoln will be examined spotlighting his views on slavery and African Americans. Through the course of the talk, we will also see a revealing view on how his ideas and opinions evolved over time.

The second part of the presentation will look at some of the events that led up to The Emancipation Proclamation such as Freemont’s Emancipation, Hunter’s Emancipation, and the General Benjamin Butler’s orders on “Contraband of War.” Then, it will turn to the Emancipation Proclamation itself; the timing of it, the politics of it and who was actually freed by it.

Next we will talk about the gradual emancipation of slaves by Federal Troops as they conquered the different Confederate states, the end of the war and the movement of troops into Texas and the famous issuing of General Order No. 3 on June 19th, 1865 at Galveston Texas and how the news spread through Texas and the reaction of the slaves to tidings of freedom!

Finally, we’ll conclude with a discussion to showcase how Juneteenth went from a local Galveston celebration to a national holiday.

This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Open to all ages; geared towards adults and older teens

This program is free and open to the general public. Registration is not required.